CHIPAWO Media produce television for the Deaf in Sign Language
- Country:
- Zimbabwe
- Organisations involved:
CHIPAWO Media
- Synopsis:
'HANDSPEAK'
The first television programme CHIPAWO Media did with the deaf was the trail-blazing 13 episode series, Handspeak, the first series on Zimbabwe television in Sign Language. Launched on 5 June, 2005, Handspeak was a weekly magazine programme in Sign Language for and by the deaf, There were subtitles so hearing viewers were able to follow what was being said.
Each episode featured a- short lesson on Sign Language, news about and for the deaf,
- drama on the topic of the week followed by a discussion with guests on the programme
- Window of Hope - a profile of deaf persons who have, despite the odds, have made something of their lives.
Nyasha Nyamwanza, the Co-ordinator of the Programme, and herself deaf, said the main aim of the programme was to change people's attitudes towards the deaf. "The aim of the programme is to change the way deaf people are perceived in the society by showing that the deaf are just like hearing people"
May 2008, CHIPAWO Media included a four episode mini-series in its Onstage television seriesThis mini-series included
- 'Give Us a Chance', a documentary featuring performance and discussion on issues relating to the handicapped involving handicapped and other children.
- 'Dialogues of the Deaf'. Small drama
- 'Cry Thinking'
What is it like to grow up knowing that you are not like other people? You are deaf.
This is the question that was put to the young deaf actors at Emerald Hill School for the Deaf when they began preparing their play. One of the children wrote in her response to the question that 'every night I used to cry, thinking that I was the only deaf person in the world'. And so the play that they came up with was called 'Cry Thinking'.
Theplay tells the story in two parallel streams. There is the realistic portrayal of how everyone is so happy when Rumbi is born but then one day her mother discovers that she cannot hear. This prompts her husband's sisters to blame her and urge him to drive her away. Rumbi is taken to a doctor and to an n'anga but there seems little hope as they all proclaim her incurably deaf. The story goes on to show how she manages to partly transcend her condition and lead, with her family, a more normal life.
The experience is shown not realistically but through mime. Deafness is conceived of as a box. The mimers first discover the box then explore it and try to break out. They see people but the people cannot help them. Eventually they find a way out and they try to talk to each other and others but as they are deaf, they find they cannot do this either. Finally they are taught Sign Language and this gives them the power to communicate - with each other but not with the rest of the world as they cannot speak their language. The play is a powerful argument for the teaching of Sign Language to the hearing.
"Cry Thinking' was first performed at the Reps Theatre, where it was also filmed for television. It subsequently went to Germany to participate in the 7th World Festival of Children's Theatre, Lingen, in July 2002.
ACTION POWER
Now at last the sequel to Handspeak and are to hit the small screen in October 2008.
It consists of three segments -
- Action Art
- Action Speak
- Action Issues.
Action Art is an opportunity to meet a deaf artist or craftsperson. A work of art or craft such as painting, sculpture, dance, hair design, pottery, basketry etc.
The artist and his or her work is introduced and he or she gives the viewers an idea as to how they became to be artists, what they experience, their challenges and their aspirations.
Action Speak is a continuation of the lessons in Sign Language for the hearing but this time more advanced signs are included for the deaf.
Action Issues features discussion by children, youth, parents, teachers and government on Education and Careers for the deaf in Zimbabwe.
